"What? Are you sure?" Patriarch Cao asked his aide, his voice filled with disbelief.
"The information is accurate, Patriarch," the aide replied firmly.
Patriarch Cao, his face a mixture of panic and relief, straightened his posture and tried to compose himself.
"Thank goodness we didn't mess with the Jiang family. If we had…" He paused, exhaling like a man who had almost stepped on a landmine, and continued, "We would have ended up like the Xiao family."
"A truly wise decision, Patriarch," said the aide, joined by the other elders in the room, all eager to echo his sentiment.
The impact of Gaia's attack, which had wiped out nearly all the Xiao family's fighters, martial artists, and even their Patriarch without the rest of the family even knowing, was enormous.
For the remaining members, who suddenly lost their leader and foundation, panic was inevitable.
However, the military explained the disappearance of the Xiao family's leadership as a consequence of a forbidden act they had committed.
To prevent other large families from exploiting the Xiao family's weakened state, just like they once protected Bailou, the military temporarily placed the Xiao family under their protection until it could stand on its own again.
Thus, the entire incident was safely covered up.
*
That same night, while Gaia, Tianluo, and their friends enjoyed a small farewell party,
somewhere on the side of a quiet road, a lone man stood under a dim streetlamp.
His messy black hair framed sharp eyes that swept his surroundings with constant vigilance.
A black leather jacket clung tightly to his frame, emphasizing broad shoulders and a battle-ready stance.
His hands, wrapped in white bandages, seemed to silently vow that he was always prepared to fight.
Though anger often flashed in his eyes, his mind remained razor-sharp, calculating every movement with cold precision.
"The information is correct, Young Master Jin. The man announced as the late General Jiang's disciple is indeed genuine,"
a figure clad entirely in black whispered, kneeling at his side like a shadow called forth by light.
"If he really is General Jiang's successor, then why is he participating in this farce?" Young Master Jin asked, his voice filled with skepticism.
"Perhaps only you view the general's promotion trial as a farce, Young Master," the shadow replied calmly, then added,
"Most likely, because the heir has no military achievements yet and is still a newcomer, the generals made him compete with other candidates to prove himself."
"Hmph... fools. It's as if they're admitting they don't trust their own comrade," Jin sneered, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement.
"But… competing directly with General Jiang's heir… it seems this little farce will turn out to be very entertaining."
With that, Young Master Jin turned and began walking away, leaving the shadow kneeling. His final words drifted back through the night:
"Stop spying on Jiang's heir. Unless you wish to die."
"As you command, Young Master Jin," the shadow replied softly, before vanishing into the darkness as well.
*
Time passed quickly, and soon, the day of the promotion trial arrived.
In the days before the trial, Gaia mostly lazed about reading novels, eating, sleeping, and training at the Jiang family's grounds. Occasionally, he used Aetherlink to browse news and read about Yinzhou's history. Sometimes, he visited the Jiang residence to use their training grounds.
That night, Yinzhou Penglai was alive with excitement, the city transformed into a surreal dreamscape for the festival-like promotion trial.
The ancient cobblestone streets were lined with red lanterns that pulsed with soft, blue neon light, swaying with the breeze.
Towering pagoda-style gates, carved with dragons and phoenixes, stood tall and proud, but their pillars were made of gleaming black metal, shimmering under floating holographic displays.
Crowds filled the streets, dressed in hanfu of every kind some traditionally embroidered, others woven with digital patterns that shimmered under the light.
Some robes reflected bursts of color from tiny bird-shaped drones flying overhead.
The classic melodies of a guzheng echoed through the air, layered with the subtle hum of synthesizers, creating an enchanting fusion of old and new.
The scent of traditional sweets mingled with the metallic tang of machinery.
In the corners of the markets, vendors sold glowing paper talismans modern charms that changed shape with a touch.
In the center of the square stood a colossal dragon statue, woven from cables and copper pipes, slithering to life under hidden mechanisms, its dance earning cheers from the crowd.
That night, past and future intertwined, creating a festival that could only exist in a world like this.
You'd only see a festival like this in a world that fuses traditional China with sci-fi, Gaia thought as he gazed over the city from his inn's balcony.
His attention, however, was drawn to the academy students gathered across the street.
Beneath the towering metal pagoda gates, the students scattered, each lost in their own world.
A pair of students walked shyly side by side, their hands brushing together as they laughed.
A group of friends chased a small dragon-shaped drone as it dipped and darted above them.
Nearby, a lone student studied a holographic map of the festival, muttering plans under their breath.
Children crouched by stalls, admiring floating charms, while others sampled strange, glowing street food from automatic carts.
The night pulsed with laughter, gasps of wonder, and the breathless awe of the crowd as the giant dragon statue writhed against the lantern-lit sky.
That night, the academy students weren't just students they became part of a living dream, weaving memories they would carry far beyond the academy walls.
Gaia watched them with a nostalgic gaze, like a grandfather reminiscing about youth he could never reclaim.
Yet ironically, Gaia himself wasn't much older than them.
What a strange psychological contradiction, he thought.
*
Meanwhile, at the Yinzhou Penglai military headquarters, General Lin Feng held a conference with other generals through a communications system, their forms appearing only as holograms labeled with their names.
"How are the preparations for tomorrow's promotion trial, General Lin Feng?" asked General Chu.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly. What about your sectors?" Lin Feng replied.
"As expected, Kauket cultists stirred up trouble in Yinzhou Huahui," reported General Melfina.
"The same here," added General Tian Fang.
"Yinzhou Shengdao also faced similar disturbances. It's clear they're trying to divert attention from Penglai," General Chu commented.
"But what exactly are the Kauket cultists after in Penglai? It's not like they can kill the candidates meant to replace Bailou, right?" General Tian Fang asked, puzzled.
"Beelzebub," Lin Feng said calmly.
At that, all the generals fell silent, understanding dawning in their eyes.
"If Beelzebub is their target, you'll need to be extra cautious during tomorrow's trial, Lin Feng," General Chu warned.
"Yeah, I know," Lin Feng replied, then added,
"What about the Overseer? Did he say anything about this?"
"Not a word… as always. We never know what he's thinking.
But if he stays silent, it means he expects us to handle it without involving him," General Chu answered.
The generals all nodded silently at Chu's words before continuing their strategic discussions.
*
Meanwhile, back at the inn, Gaia enjoyed the vibrant night view of the festival from his balcony.
Sometimes he sipped wine, sometimes he nibbled on snacks.
Ah, the beauty of life. I wish I could laze around like this forever
"Why aren't you out there enjoying the festival like the other young people?"
A voice called out from behind him.
Gaia lazily glanced sideways, then turned his gaze back to the city and replied,
"Too lazy," Gaia shrugged.
The owner of the voice walked up beside him.
Under the silver light of the moon and the pale glow of festival lanterns, the figure of a girl stood revealed a presence impossible to overlook.
Her long hair shimmered silver, streaked with strands of deep black, like two poles of night intertwined.
Her crimson eyes stared out with a calm yet commanding gaze, like embers burning beneath untouched snow.
Her outfit fused soft fabric and armored ornaments, fitting snugly around her slim frame without diminishing her innate grace.
Dark hues and blood-red accents dominated, contrasting sharply against her pale, moonlit skin.
Every small movement she made flowed with absolute confidence, no hesitation, no vulnerability.
She studied Gaia intently, her gaze seemingly capable of piercing any armor.
But contrary to the narrator's cool description, Gaia was battling massive internal panic.
Not because of the beautiful girl suddenly standing beside him, nor because someone had slipped into his room without him noticing.
No, the real reason was far more terrifying,
What the hell is this!!!? Her soul feels completely wrong!! I can't see it at all! She definitely has a soul, but it's like my magic is being rejected by it. It's impossible to grasp its essence! Danger! Danger! Danger! This woman is strong! Far, far stronger than anyone I've ever met, even stronger than Sensei!